Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 9/21/2021

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire District was called to order at 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Anthony Van Ruiten, Samuel Martin, and Kimberly Richter were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the August 10, 2021 meeting were approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Old Business

Status of volunteers was discussed.  The updated Bylaws were distributed and reviewed for compliance.  At the September 20, 2021 Firefighter’s meeting, opportunities for training were discussed.  It was determined that one Tuesday evening a month, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., the Volunteer Firefighters will take the SBFPD fire truck to the Oswald Tudor Fire Station #8 on Barry Road for training.  The training will begin September 28, 2021.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was discussed.  Mark Richter spoke to Jeff Gilbert, Fire Chief of the Williams Fire Department, about the possibility of recruiting a Fire Chief.  From their discussion it was determined that the hiring of a firefighter that is beginning their career, with goals of becoming a Fire Chief, may be more productive.  Next steps are to determine how best to advertise for the position.

Status of LAFCO/Grand Jury Report was reviewed.  The Grand Jury letter was sent August 16, 2021 by email and mail.  LAFCO is speaking with Mark Richter and Jeff Gilbert about next steps for hiring a paid firefighter.

New Business

Correspondences were shared by Kimberly Richter. A copy of Fire Chief John Shalowitz’s email concerning the transfer of dispatch services form Yolo County to Sutter County was discussed.  At present no action will be taken.

Commissioners’ Liability Coverage and yearly cost was discussed.  Laverne Driver documented the Management Liability coverage of the existing insurance plan through National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA.  The yearly cost is $317.00, and the overall coverage is $3,000,000, with an excess coverage amount of $8,000,000. 

2019-2020 Audit from Smith & Newell was distributed for discussion and approval. It was discussed that the audit found three findings.  The findings were: Written Capitalization Policy, Internal Control Policy, and a Fund Balance Policy.  To adhere to these three findings, the Executive Officer was asked to write policies that will be reviewed and approved at the next SBFPD Commissioner’s meeting. A motion by Anthony Van Ruiten was made to approve the 2019 – 2020 Audit and to create and develop three policies to adhere to the three findings.  Sam Martin seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed.  At present there is a balance of $396,303.82.  All bills were approved, and all claims were signed by the commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

Agenda items for the next meeting are the approval of the three findings policies as stated by the 2019-2020 Audit.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 a.m. by Mark Richter. The next Board of Commissioners Meeting will be held at 8:00 a.m. on October 25, 2021, at the Robbins Fire Station in Robbins California.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter